St. Patrick's Day is celebrated each year on March 17th across the world, including in the United States, but the truth is, nobody does it like the Irish.
What was once a religious ceremony commemorating our beloved patron saint who questionably rid Ireland of snakes is now a national day. We celebrate the long line of Irish heritage and culture and of course, a day of booze, banter, buzzing street parades and social events.
But how do we celebrate it?
- We paint the town green, of course. We paint our faces, we wear silly hats, and we dress head to toe in emerald green. Various famous landmarks go green on Paddy's Day too including the Chicago River as well as the London Eye, Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
- We dance like eejits just for the craic. Forget River Dance, on March 17th we dance like nobodies watching. Céilís play a massive part in family entertainment across many cities and towns, and no parade is complete without high kicking Irish dancers and thumping marching bands.
- Talking about parades, we fully embrace all festivities and make the most of the various celebrations hail, rain and snow. We also spend silly amounts on plastic to wave along the front line that will never see the light of day again.
- We overindulge on Shamrock Shakes; a seasonal mint flavoured green milkshake dessert. It's available during the month of March in McDonalds nationwide, (and it is absolutely whopper if I do say so myself).
- We drink pints of the black stuff, technically ruby red but we're not here to argue that. Guinness is a famous white-topped Irish stout which originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James Gate, Dublin, in 1759. On Paddy's Day, over 13 million pints are consumed worldwide.
- We shut up shop. Many local businesses close to celebrate the national holiday with family and friends, a pain stake for tourists travelling to the remoter area's of Ireland but sure look, when we do it, we do it right.
- It's grand, it's a feast day. For one day only, it is completely acceptable to break lent and gorge on chocolate, crisps or whatever for a whole 24 hours. Well, it depends on how concerned your parents are about your soul that is.
- We fully embrace all festivities and make the most of the various parades (even if it's pissing rain!) and we wear shamrock broaches to avoid a clout to the ear. That's right, a tradition for many households and an Irish Catholic symbol of the Holy Trinity.
- Then the following morning we all wake up with the fear or text around to see if a curer is on the cards. Sore head? 7up. Tummy bug? 7up. Not sure if you can show your face around town again? 7up.
How do you like to celebrate Paddy's Day?
